Graphical user interfaces

Abstract

A system for supporting distributed interaction with a user during a workflow process is described. The system comprises a centrally stored graphical representation of the workflow process. A plurality of users located remotely from the centrally stored representation and related to each other in a user hierarchy each have access to a version of the representation. The system further comprises referral means provided within each version of the representation to generate a referral message. The referral means is arranged to send the message to a reviewer in a next higher level in the user hierarchy.

1 . A system for supporting distributed interaction with a user during a workflow process, the system comprising:
 a centrally stored graphical representation of the workflow process;   a plurality of users located remotely from the centrally stored representation and related to each other in a user hierarchy, each user having access to a version of the representation; and   referral means provided within each version of the representation to generate a referral message, the referral means being arranged to send the message to a reviewer in a next higher level in the user hierarchy.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the referral means is arranged to receive a referral message from a user in a next lower level in the user hierarchy. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the referral means comprises forwarding means arranged to enable the reviewer to forward the message onto another reviewer at a next higher level within the hierarchy if required. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the referral means comprises response means enabling the reviewer to generate a message and send it to the referring user. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4 , wherein the response means is arranged to specify a response to the feedback message which can be used to update a monitoring function. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein the monitoring function is accessible to all uses involved with the feedback message. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein the response means is arranged to specify a resolution to the feedback message, which can be used to update the monitoring function. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the representation comprises a plurality of interlinked nodes which graphically represent the structure of a plurality of interlinked steps of the stored workflow process. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 8 , wherein the referral means is provided at a node of the representation and using information associated with the node to populate at least some of the referral message on user-selection. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the referral means comprises a graphical icon and user selection comprises interaction between a user navigational tool and the icon. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the referral means is arranged to use information obtained from an electronic patient record to populate automatically at least some of the referral message. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured for distributing a new version of the graphical representation to a user in the user hierarchy, the system further comprising:
 comparing means for comparing the new version of the representation with a user's version of the representation to determine any differences;   forwarding means for forwarding those differences to the user associated with that version of the representation for consideration; and   reviewing means provided within each user's version of the representation, the reviewing means being arranged to accept or reject the differences and to convey an acceptance or rejection to a higher level within the hierarchy.   
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 12 , wherein the reviewing means is arranged to accept some of the differences and to communicate the acceptance in part to a higher level within the hierarchy. 
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 12 , wherein the reviewing means is arranged to enable the user to carry out the acceptance in part of the differences manually. 
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 12 , wherein the GUI representation comprises a plurality of interlinked nodes which graphically represent the structure of a plurality of interlinked steps of the stored workflow process. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 12 , wherein each user has an associated permission which determines the degree of changes that can be accepted at their particular level in the hierarchy. 
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 16 , further comprising means for notifying each user of their position within the hierarchy and the permissions associated therewith. 
     
     
         18 . A method of supporting distributed interaction with a user during a workflow process, the method comprising:
 centrally storing a graphical representation of the workflow process;   providing each of a plurality of users with access to a version of the representation, the plurality of users being located remotely from the centrally stored representation and related to each other in a user hierarchy;   generating a referral message from a version of the representation; and   sending the referral message to a reviewer in a next higher level in the user hierarchy.